Finishing well

The church was unusually quiet that evening as Pastor James stepped up to the pulpit. His voice, calm yet commanding, broke the stillness as he began sharing a story that many would carry with them for years.

“Have you ever noticed,” he asked, “that in athletics, a sprinter can start perfectly but lose everything if they veer into someone else’s track? Or that in football, a single mistake—using a hand when you shouldn’t—can cost a player their team’s victory?” The congregation nodded silently, curious about where this was headed.

“It’s not just about starting well,” Pastor James continued. “It’s about staying the course and finishing strong.”

He opened his Bible to Luke 15 and wove together three familiar parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. But this time, he brought them to life with vivid imagery.

“Imagine a shepherd with a hundred sheep,” he said. “He’s tired, the day is long, but when he notices one missing, he doesn’t rest. He searches high and low until he finds it. Now picture a woman sweeping her house in desperation, the glint of a single coin her reward. And finally, a father—broken-hearted—watching the horizon every day for his wayward son to return. Each of these shows the relentless love of God.”

The congregation listened intently. Then Pastor James’ tone shifted, more serious now.

“There’s something these stories have in common,” he said. “In each case, what was lost was eventually found—but only because it happened while there was still time. What if the shepherd had delayed? What if the coin had been swept out with the trash? What if the son had waited a day too long and never made it home? There comes a time when lost things can’t be recovered. That’s why the Bible says, ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.’”

Pastor James paused, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing. “Now let me tell you about the ten virgins from Matthew 25,” he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. “All of them were dressed for the occasion. Hair done, lamps shining bright. They looked ready, didn’t they?”

The congregation chuckled softly, recognising the setup.

“But here’s the twist,” he said, raising his eyebrows. “When midnight came, the truth came with it. Five of them had oil, and five didn’t. Midnight doesn’t lie. It reveals who’s truly prepared and who isn’t.”

He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. “You know, the thing about midnight is that it shows what’s in your heart. For Paul and Silas, midnight found them praising God in chains. For others, midnight might reveal anger, bitterness, or hidden sins.”

“Let me share something personal,” Pastor James said, shifting gears. He told of a young man who had once lived with him, a seemingly devout Christian. “He prayed, he fasted, he read his Bible every day,” Pastor James recalled. “But my daughters noticed something off about him. They investigated and discovered he had been secretly involved in immorality. It broke my heart to confront him, but it reminded me that appearances can be deceiving. What truly matters is what’s in your heart.”

The congregation murmured, some nodding in agreement.

Pastor James then shared the sobering words of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:10: “For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.”

“Demas started well,” Pastor James said, shaking his head. “He was a co-labourer with Paul, mentioned in letters to the churches. But in the end, he chose the world over God. Time revealed his true allegiance.”

Finally, he concluded with a challenge. “Success in this race of life isn’t guaranteed by a strong start. It’s guaranteed by keeping your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. So, I ask you: Are you ready to end this journey with Him?”

As the service ended, many left deep in thought. Pastor James’ stories had done more than teach—they had pierced hearts, leaving a clear and urgent call: Stay the course. Finish well. Keep the oil in your lamp burning.

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